11 prophets

Biblical prophets

Major and minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible — historical context, authorship debates, and key prophecies.

Major prophets(4)

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel — the four large prophetic books.

Daniel

Daniel is significant for his apocalyptic visions and prophecies concerning the future of Israel and the coming of God's kingdom. His role as a dream interpreter and his unwavering faith in God under foreign rule make him a pivotal figure in Jewish and Christian eschatology.

c. 605-535 BC (traditional) / c. 167-164 BC (academic)

Ezekiel

Ezekiel is significant for his vivid symbolic visions and his role in shaping the Jewish understanding of divine presence and temple worship during the exile.

c. 593-571 BC

Isaiah

Isaiah is pivotal for his prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and the vision of a future peaceable kingdom, which have profoundly influenced both Jewish and Christian eschatological thought.

c. 740-700 BC

Jeremiah

Jeremiah is notable for his prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian exile, as well as his messages of hope for a new covenant. His life and messages are central to understanding the theological shifts during the exile period.

c. 626-586 BC

Minor prophets(6)

The twelve shorter prophetic books, from Hosea to Malachi.

Amos

Amos is significant for his strong emphasis on social justice and his critique of the disparity between the wealthy and the poor, making him a pivotal figure in the prophetic tradition for advocating ethical monotheism.

c. 760-750 BC

Joel

Joel is significant for his vivid imagery of locust plagues as divine judgment and his prophecy of the outpouring of God's spirit, which is later cited in Acts 2:16-21 as fulfilled at Pentecost.

disputed: c. 835 BC (early) or c. 400 BC (late)

Malachi

Malachi is significant for his emphasis on covenant fidelity and his critique of the priesthood, which set the stage for later Jewish thought and reform. His prophecies are notable for their eschatological elements and anticipation of a future messenger.

c. 450-400 BC

Micah

Micah is notable for his emphasis on social justice and his prophecy of the Messiah's birthplace in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), which is cited in the New Testament (Matthew 2:6).

c. 737-696 BC

Nahum

Nahum is significant for his vivid portrayal of the fall of Nineveh, providing a theological interpretation of Assyria's downfall as divine retribution. His work stands out for its poetic style and focus on the theme of God's justice.

c. 663-612 BC

Zechariah

Zechariah is notable for his apocalyptic visions and messianic prophecies, which have influenced both Jewish and Christian eschatological thought.

c. 520-518 BC (First Zechariah) / c. 400-300 BC (Deutero-Zechariah)

Pre-writing figures(1)

Prophetic figures whose oracles appear primarily outside the canonical prophetic books.

David

Psalms

David is significant for unifying the tribes of Israel and establishing a central monarchy. His attributed authorship of many Psalms has deeply influenced Jewish and Christian liturgical traditions.

c. 1010-970 BC